After years of decline, teen birthrates in the U.S. began rising in the late 1980s. This disturbing trend distinguishes the United States from Canada, Sweden and other developed nations, where a higher proportion of adolescents postpone childbearing to continue their educations. More young teenagers are having sex, but their use of contraceptives is inconsistent. The link between childbearing and marriage is becoming increasingly tenuous as growing numbers of women in all age groups choose to become parents without husbands. Some observers blame the welfare system for fostering out-of-wedlock births, while others believe that hopelessness about the future is the root cause. Most experts agree that reversing the trend will not be easy.